SOG Seal Pup Elite

Shortly after providing a new design to Arkansas blacksmith James Black, Jim Bowie didn't waste any time using the now famous "Bowie Knife." Upon returning to Texas, Bowie was attacked by three would be assasins who quickly learned of the dangers of messing with the legendary figure. Legend has it that one man was nearly decapitated and the other two suffered similarly gruesome fates.

We always had dozens of guns and more than a few knives around our house growing up - but I was always more attracted to the knives. Whether it is the image of Osceola plunging a dagger into the treaty with the United States, or Rambo inflicting his carnage in the forests of the Northwest back country, there is a raw, primitive satisfaction that comes from holding a really good knife.

For decades, as I traveled around the world I would bring a knife, sword or machete back to my son. I remember the time I brought a particularly large machete with handmade sheath from Central America. His eyes lit up as the boy held up the weapon half the size of his body.

All of these thoughts caused me to ask the question, "If I could only have one knife, what would it be?" That journey began with hours of research online and finally narrowing my search down to a few really good options. What I settled on was the SOG Seal Pup Elite.

The product is a fixed blade knife that was originally designed for Navy Seals. When I first saw the knife I wasn't overly impressed by its appearance. It didn't have a flashy handle, but the more I tested it, the more impressed I became. The nylon handle is durable, is great for gripping and weather resistant. The blade is 4.85 inches long and .185 inches wide and is partially serated on the top and bottom.

The blade is the strongest, most durable and well designed of any knife I have ever held. In independent tests it held up to being stuck in a tree, twisted back and forth and the blade used in axe-like fashion without any signs of dulling.

The SOG Seal Pup Elite performs beyond expectations. The knife is listed at retail for $120.00, but can be purchased on Amazon or through discounters for about $70.00.

So, if you could own only one knife - what would it be?

Make-up Church

I realize that this particular blog is going to irritate and alienate some people, but I also believe it raises important questions. I was having lunch with a friend and we were discussing Bible study and it's effects on Sunday evening worship. In our discussion he made a couple of points that I believe need to be considered:

First, there was a reference to "make-up church." Sunday night services have many purposes, but one of the primary purposes upon its introduction was to have a 2nd service to accomodate those who had to work - make-up church for those who were "providentially hindered" on Sunday morning. After hearing that term 1,000 times I am still not sure what providentially hindered means. We make special accomodations for the Lord's supper (typically seperating those people out from the rest of the worshippers), and we all know there is an attrition factor on Sunday night.

Second, my friend made mention of the fact that not only do we schedule a time for this make-up service for those who missed Sunday morning, but we also make it mandatory for all to attend. Now before you mark me as a heretic, or change agent, let me make some important observations.

1. The eldership has every right to make decisions that they believe are in the best interest of the spiritual well being of the flock. When they make those decisions, we need to honor them. Whether that is one service, two or three.
2. I am not opposed to Sunday night services. I have been attending all my life. If that is what the eldership designates as the most effective way to feed the flock, then I respect their decision and honor it with my attendance.

Now let me take the other side for just a minute. I have worshipped in places where the saints only meet once on the Lord's day. In most cases there is more time devoted to Bible class and worship, but because it was a mission field, or people traveled long distances - it was the right and appropriate thing to do. No one has ever suggested they were in error for not having a Sunday night service. If we can support the idea of one service on the Lord's day in other places, is it possible (without putting everyone in a tizzy) to suggest that there are options to how we expedite our worship period?

Let me share a few thoughts for discussion:

1. Why can't we function like a mission field? Sometimes as we grow we forget that when we started we operated like a mission point. We still are a mission point, we haven't begun to accomplish all we can accomplish.
2. Could our Sunday morning worship and study periods be extended. Rather than 1 hour for worship, could we schedule an hour and a half for worship?
3. Could we worship together, break for 30 minutes of fellowship and then move to our Bible classes?
4. Could we focus our time, attention and energy on the worship service, Lord's supper and praise to God for an extended time on Sunday morning (or evening) and have just one service on the Lord's day - without rushing through the songs, sermon or Bible study periods?

I find it far more offensive to rush through our worship time, constantly keep watch on the clock, or rebuke the minister because he preached 10 minutes to long. I thought our intent was to honor God and the sacrifice of His son on this special day. I would much prefer to spend 3 hours together in worship, fellowship and praise; give proper attention to God and His son; and allow our Bible school teachers time to fully develop their topics in class rather than struggle to "beat the clock" and get to Buffalo Wild Wings on time.

I hope that you will take the timeto share your thoughts (pro and con) on this current post.

Resolutions

Most people make their resolutions after the new year. They are going to lose weight, save more money, attend church, or find a new job. Back in 2003 I made a commitment to loose a significant amount of weight between Thanksgiving and Christmas - I know that sounds like an insane idea, but I figured if I could be disciplined during the season of cookies, cakes and candy then I could do it anytime. I was successful in that journey - so I am going to try it again.

Well six years have passed and that 20 lbs I lost has creeped back on with a few extras. So their are 25 days till Christmas and I have decided to give myself a Christmas present (a healthier lifestyle). So for the next 25 days (and hopefully longer), I am going to eat right, exercise, make time for my daily devotionals and do the things I keep promising myself I will get around to.

So why am I writing this in my blog for everyone to see - accountability! I can put it in my planner, set goals I want to attain, but if I shout it from my cyber-mountaintop then there are those who will hold me accountable.

So for the next 25 days all my friends, family and acquaintances have permission to hold me accountable. Ask me how I am doing? Confront me on my quiet time and Bible study. Tell me I am looking a little hefty around the beltline and my double chin is sprouting offspring. On Christmas morning I plan to wake up 15 lbs. lighter than I am today, but more than that I am going to improve my daily walk with God and enjoin all the blessings that will follow.

Qu'ils mangent de la brioche

Or as we have commonly translated the phrase, "let them eat cake." While the phrase may be mistakenly attributed to Marie Antoinette, the symbolism must not be missed. The apocryphal story we all have heard serves as a telling illustration for our current administration. A parable of wanton disregard. We learn how a citizenry responds when they are pushed too far, too fast and too hard by an oppressive government.

I watched longingly when tens of thousands filled the pavillion in Washington D.C. only to hear our President mock their voices by leaving the city and indicating he had no idea that a rally was present. I chuckle with a labored and heavy-hearted laugh as Reid and Pelosi move forward like Bulls in a China shop despite the outcry of the people they pretend to serve.

In Matthew 23, Jesus warns his disciples about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, "They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them." Kind of sounds like healthcare reform, doesn't it? Our elected officials want to dictate coverage to the masses, but provide themselves Cadillac protection. "Let them eat cake," they proclaim, while the irate masses continue to gather at the doors of their ivory towers.

Our current elected officials would do well to study history. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the rise of the Solidarity party in Poland by a common shipyard worker (Lech Walesa), the Contract with America in 1994. What is happening in America is a response (not a reaction) to government gone too far, to an overreaching, power-hungry, arrogant assualt on our Constitutional rights. So as we move closer and closer to the mid-term elections in 2010, let them sit in their fat leather chairs and eat from their tables of pompous pride. If they wish to model us after our European neighbors let them boldy proclaim - "qu'ils mangent de la brioche."

But if you do continue, then remember, because we will no longer forget.

Be Strong and Courageous

On Thursday, November 5, 2009 Kimberly Munley and Mark Todd advanced towards the terrorist gunfire at Ft. Hood, risking their lives in service to their community and their country. This was the first time Sgt. Todd had fired his weapon in 25 years of service and Officer Munley was hit three times with oncoming bullets. This is the kind of courage and sacrifice that America was built upon.

When God told Joshua to "be strong and courageous," (Joshua 1:7) he was sending him up against trained armies, fortified cities and warriors of extreme strength and stature. Yesterday, most of America stopped long enough to say thank you to our own veterans - brave men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect our freedom. Men and women who are "strong and courageous."

Today we require another kind of strength and courage if we are to reclaim America for our children and grandchildren. It is time to gird up our loins, fight the good fight and stand with courage, integrity and honor as we fend off the onslaught of political correctness, moral debauchery and crippling compromise.

The next time someone calls a Christmas tree a holiday tree - set them straight. If the courthouse in your town takes down the 10 commandments, organize a protest with hundreds holding up the holy writ upon which this country was founded. Don't be afraid to call things as you see them: Abortion is murder, homesexuality is an unnatural abomination (Romans 1), Global warming is a hoax, and while the government is accountable to the people, ultimately they are accountable to Jehovah God (Romans 13).

Neville Chamberlain's doctrine of appeasement nearly brought the downfall of Britian. They were fortunate in their darkest days to have a man of courage and conviction to pull their nation from the brink of defeat to ultimate victory. In speaking to the Harrow school on October 29th, 1941 Churchill stated, "Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yeild to force. Never yeild to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

I see some who act or behave as if we have already lost the battle. Just like those dark days in London those of us who still believe victory is possible; those of us who hold to the Christian values and principles of our Constitution; those of us who will never, never, never, never surrender - we must sound the rally cry. We must pull this nation up by our example. We must engage the enemy at every precipice and confront them at every stronghold. We will bring them down from their high places and insure victory - a lasting victory that secures the freedom of our children and our children's children.

Trent Wheeler

November 12, 2009

A little revolution

Our founding fathers were brilliant men. They were scholars, historians, but mostly they were Patriots. Signing their names to the Declaration of Independence was a potential death sentence for every one of them.

What is it that stirred a nation to throw off the yoke of tyranny and oppression and fight for freedom, liberty and a chance to succeed on their own merit? Was it an oppressive taxation system? Was it an onerous political machine? Did too much power reside in the hands of the few? Yes, it was this and much more.

At what point does a cup so fill with water that the next drop will cause it to overflow? What is the tipping point of our tolerance as our own government continues to strip away our God-given right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?"

Any political historian worth his salt knows that the Constitution and Bill of Rights were designed to protect us from government! To protect us from oppression! To safe-guard us from a central power who can tax at will, legislate at will, and prosecute at will. In writing these historic documents these sage scholars were looking far beyond the oppressions of King George III. They were making provision to protect the citizens of this great Republic from any government that might oppress them - especially their own elected officials.

Our current administration is ruling without a system of safeguards, subverting the checks and balances initiated by Jefferson, Hamilton, Franklin, Adams and many others who valued liberty more than life itself. Why do we have "czars" in the Whitehouse with no vetting required? Is it not the arrogance of an oppressive government to take over companies, dictate their policies and make hard-working citizens foot the bill. Will we allow our government to pass another law that will make criminals out of common citizens trying to feed their families and pursue those inalienable rights, or will we collapse under another private industry placed under government control?

So I raise the question. What is the next stage of revolution? When is more required than voting one bum out of office and replacing him with another bum? How many times have politicians betrayed our vote with a promise of change, of cutting taxes, of ending pork barrel spending, or stop funding terrorist regimes, only to back-peddle, spin and lie once they get in office. What will it take for the legal citizens of the United States to take back a government that is out of control, operating in clear violation of the Constitution and determined to hoist upon the backs of our children a burden that Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine and Nathan Hale could never have imagined.

Our politicians are not the only ones who should be held accountable. This is still a government of the people (at least for a little while longer). We are accountable for falling asleep at the wheel, for failing to review our representatives voting records, for not investigating our politicians relationships with lobbyist and special interest groups. We are at fault for enabling their lying, deceit and dishonest ways. We have allowed them time and again to betray that sacred trust the day they swore an oath to "uphold the Constitution of the United States of America." WE MUST HOLD GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE - let's start today.

1. Vote everyone out of office who has lied to us, changed their stripes, or been complicit with their sacred responsibility.
2. Attend, promote, and endorse rallies. We need to get off our rear ends and do something.
3. Write, email, fax and innundate your representatives with feedback - daily.
4. Learn the rich history of those who have sacrficed for your freedom. Everyday brave men and women die for this country while we sit idly by. We honor them by action, more than by words.
5. Surrender your selfishness. Don't wait for someone else to do something. If you don't change things in Washington, you are responsible for the legacy we leave our children.
6. Pay the price -whatever it takes. Seven states have sent notice to Washington to stop imposing their agenda on the states. Join the chorus to restrict Federal government, limit involvement in our lives and oppose this headlong plunge into socialism

Words

"For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:37).

There have been times recently I wanted to take someone out to the woodshed (verbally), but I thought better of it. It never ceases to amaze me how unfeeling, thoughtless and insensitive people can be. Growing up we were taught, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." For all the political correct speech we hear about in the public arena, the qualities of civil and discerning speech seem to have left our vocabulary.

How is it that we fail to understand the long-term effects of an errant word or phrase? Why is it so hard to tame our tongue and control our speech (James 3:5, 6). While I must ask God for discernment daily in curbing my own impulses and watching my own conversation, I am finished watching good, godly people be slandered, spat upon and disrespected in my presence. Edgar A. Guest was correct when he said, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

So, if you have a problem with your tongue; if you revel in biting and satirical comments about others, if your self-esteem can only be raised by diminishing another - then I am giving you good warning - BEWARE! I am weary of good people being hurt by your thoughtless and careless conduct and I will call you on it.

Oh, and if I miss it - God is listening and he will call "every idle word into judgment!" (Matthew 12:36).